All the omens certainly predicted that Saturday would be Stanley’s day. Boss John Coleman had donned his lucky grey tie and matching cufflinks – although he admitted he can’t wear them all the time and use the luck up.

And new Blackburn Rovers loanee Micah Evans said he knew he was going to score on his league debut after going through the match the night before.

However, Paul Buckle’s side didn’t have the same belief and they didn’t make it easy for the Reds but a first win in seven was just what Stanley needed.

Evans, signed that week, was full of confidence and showed it by firing home in the fifth minute after running through the Rovers defence and squeezing the ball in at the near post.

"It was great to score," said the 18-year-old. "It was perfect for me. On Friday night, I thought about the game and knew I would score but didn’t think it would be so early.

"I just got the ball and ran forward, saw the opportunity and it was in the back of the net. I just hope there is more to come."

He did though concede that fellow loanee Kevin Long’s was a little better.

The Burnley defender got the ball on the edge of the area from a Luke Joyce free kick just inside the Bristol half and he showed the skills of a striker by volleying it home for his second goal for the Reds.

"That was a top strike," said Evans. "His was better than mine but hopefully I can get a few more now.

"I just want to play games and make an impact."

The Reds certainly upped the tempo in the first half and played like they did last season when they made the play-offs, charging at their opponents, keeping the pressure on and taking their chances.

The only blot in the first half was an injury to keeper Ian Dunbavin, who was caught by Pirates striker Scott McGleish with the stopper needing stitches in a cut in his knee and having to make way for Sean Murdoch.

However, whichever keeper was there, they didn’t have a lot to do as it was all the Reds in the first half.

"They were two great strikes in the first half," said boss Coleman.

"It was a terrific run by Micah and a great strike.

"The second goal was wonderful. It was one we worked on in the training ground so it’s always nice when they come off. It was a good first-half performance."

The second half, however, was a different story as Rovers made an early breakthrough – and then took the game to the Reds.

Within three minutes the dangerous Mustapha Carayol went on a run down the left wing and his cross was met by unmarked Joe Anyinsah who stroked the ball home from 10 yards out.

Then it was the Reds’ turn to be on the defensive as the visitors went in search of the equaliser.

Ex-Morecambe man Craig Stanley fired in a free-kick which wasn’t far off, while Charlie Barnett’s free-kick at the other end was fumbled by keeper Scott Bevan as the Reds tried to make it safe.

However, it needed a wonder save in injury time to prevent a draw with Stanley sub keeper Murdoch doing well to keep out Danny Woodards’ powerful strike.

But Stanley held on and this was despite Peter Murphy seeing red for a late challenge on Carayol in injury-time – the second red card of his Reds’ career. There was a collective sigh of relief when the final whistle blew as Stanley chalked up their fourth league win of the season and ended a run of three losses at the Crown Ground.

As well as Evans having a debut to remember, Bryan Hughes showed composure on his first start for the Reds in the defensive midfield role while new striker Jayden Stockley came on after the break and held the ball up at times, as he looks to show why Eddie Howe gave him his Bournemouth debut aged just 15.

While Stanley have been unfortunate to lose some games this season, Coleman conceded that this was one game they were lucky to come away from with three points.

"We were fortunate to win, especially in the second half, against a really good Bristol side," said the Reds boss.

"A draw would probably have been a fair result.

"We scored two wonderful goals in the first half and then they pinned us back after the break and, if they had scored with 10 minutes to go, they could have gone on and won it.

"But we showed resilience at the back against Crawley last week and we backed it up on Saturday.

"Bryan Hughes pleased me as he showed a lot of experience and was in the right places at the right time.

"Jayden came on and worked hard and won a lot of balls in the air. But we were desperate for that win."